Obi-wan Kenobi Doujinshi

Thanks for reading. I realize I haven’t updated in a long time. I’m still getting emails telling me to update, and I thank you for them because they do motivate me to get going–it lets me know that I’m not the only one who wants to read more of this silly manga!

I received a lovely grant from the Ontario Arts Council for Secrets of Sorcerers Vol. 2. This means that I, at the very latest, have to have vol. 2 completed by a particular date (vol.1 is already getting old and sos readers have been waiting for vol.2). Then, of course, there is “Love Pet”–which I also get plenty of emails from readers reminding me that I haven’t updated in over a year. All of this makes is hard to work on this webmanga; The fact that the art for this comic is so ugly and unpolished doesn’t help my motivation for working on it–I’d like to just start over with nice artwork…heck, it wouldn’t hurt to actually plan out the page layouts or even do some storyboards first (heh, ya, that might help!).

The good news is I really have a lot of the story writen for SW:OB1. It’s just a matter of sitting down and making storyboards, pencils, and then inking, toning, and typesetting, whooh!

I really want to thank all all the readers of this manga. Really.

I get a steady stream of e-mails & comments, which really motivate me to work harder on this little fancomic of mine.

I never thought that there could be a manga based off of Star Wars or Obi Wan for that matter, it shows how human and caring he is.

I’m quoting this latest comment post to Part 2 pg 10, because the first half is simular to a lot of the comments I receive, and the second half captivates what my intention for this comic is. The majority of readers seem to express joy in finding a Star Wars comic in the manga form. I can relate to them, because Star Wars and manga are two of some of my favourite things…and as an artist, it only seemed natural to combine the two (I would love to make manga fancomics about He-man/She-rah, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and a number of other geeky things, but where is the time to do so?). There are official Star Wars manga, however, they follow the storylines of the movies; it’s nice to read a manga version of them, but it would be nice to read some original storylines, where you wouldn’t know the outcome.

…and so, since I couldn’t find the Star Wars manga I wanted to read, I made it…um…so I could read it.

Now…getting back to the comment above: I was really excited that my intention behind the storyline came across clearly to atleast one reader, especially since the webcomic is still very early in the story’s timeline. As a fan of the Obi-wan character myself, I wanted a story that explored more about Obi-wan as a person–in the movies he is “Master Kenobi”, “General Kenobi”, or “Crazy Old Wizard”…but I always pictured Obi-wan as being a much more complex character than what is presented. Obi-wan may be a Jedi Master, but he is also a human being, and humans have faults, and Jedi or note, they have dreams, desires, and feelings.

I want to address, as the story progresses, things that I’ve questioned about Obi-wan; like why didn’t he catch-on earlier about Anakin & Padme? I also think it would be interesting to explore things about Obi-wan like his sense of duty and loyalty, his obligation to carry out his master’s death wish, and any burdens he may feel.

As the title says, this is a shoujo comic…and shoujo deals with feelings, inner-conflict, and of course, love. I’m sure I’ve made it obvious that the plot revolves around some sort of love story involving Norii and Obi-wan–whether it is a relationship that actually developes or succeeds in any way is yet to be seen.

One thing I can say is this doujin (unlike what seems to be %90 of online doujinshi) there is absolutely no yaoi, yuri, or hentai. Sorry if this disapoints any of you.

I recently changed some settings in the mailing list so that I receive a notice by email when someone joins. Since then, I’ve been getting emails almost daily of someone joining up to the newsletter…I felt bad, since I haven’t updated since…what?…2005?

SO!~ I’ve started WRITING the OB1comic script again. I’m up to Part 5. It is going very well, and I’m enjoying it again…I forgot how fun it was to work on this fan comic. As far as the drawing goes–I used to just draw EVERYTHING (from pencil sketch to finals) with my tablet in Comic Works. Not long ago, I started using Manga Studio EX 3.0 for toning, and I’ve worked out a pretty good process for creating manga (which actually involves making storyboards). So any future pages should be of a lot higher quality, since a lot more time and planning will go into them.

Thanks for reading!

It was requested, so here it is! The official Obi-wan Kenobi Doujinshi Updates mailing list.

Just sign up and I’ll send an email update when I update the comic. ENJOY! You can sign up here: http://www.ztarr.net/phplist/?p=subscribe&id=2 I’ll work in a better link into the main site structure next time I update the site.

BTW. If you like my ‘lil old Obi-wan manga, maybe you’ll enjoy Secrets of Sorcerers (http://www.secretsofsorcerers.com). If you’d like to support Ztarr Manga Studio, please take a look at the online store, where you can buy our first graphic novel: http://www.ztarr.net/store

^_^

I have 2 pages done for part 3. I think part 3 is going to be a little longer than the other parts. I’m going to enjoy drawing this part ’cause I get to draw ‘lil Anakin, and a “youngish” Obi-wan (older than SW Ep1 but younger than SW Ep 2 ^_^).

The question is…when will I get the time to draw more of this doujin? hmmm…

Well, right now I’m drawing almost 24/7 for Secrets of Sorcerers…the graphic novel’s release date is November 10th, which means it has to get to the printer by October 19th. I still have 4/5 chapters to complete!!! This doesn’t include by obligation to actually update the SoS webmanga before this one. T_T sad but true.

Don’t worry, this fan comic is dead! I’ll follow it through to the end. I’ll try and squeeze in some OB1 if I get some free time. In the mean time, why not read some Secrets of Sorcerers…lol ^_^

It seems I’m always thanking all of you, the readers, for all your nice comments, for all your support in the forums, and for just simply reading and enjoying my little fan comic. By far the comment I get the most is “can’t wait to see more”.

I can tell you that no one wants to see more of the SW:OB1 doujinshi more than ME! lol. It’s true!

I really miss being able to sit down and write/draw this comic. I have no time for it right now; Ztarr Manga Studio is doing manga contract work with tight deadline (that I’m barely keeping up with), and Secrets of Sorcerers Vol. 1 has been neglected due to it…I also have some website contracts that need to get done, because that money goes towards bills and funding the SoS graphic novel promotion.

But I’m not going to give up! Infact, I’ve come up with a ‘Second Story Arc’ comic that will start at the end of SW:OB1. Heh, but I have to finish this one first. I can hardly wait to start up again.

I have the whole story planned out already, so I know what is going to happen and how this story ends…The ‘Second Arc’ will probably pick up in the Empire Strikes Back/Return of the Jedi timeline…but just what it will be about you’ll have to wait and see (if I even gave you a hint it would totally spoil the ending of this current story arc).

I’ll try and squeeze in some updates soon!

I was checking the web stats for this site and was surprised to find that when searching Google for any combination of Star Wars, Obi-wan Kenobi, manga, or doujinshi, this site is usually at the top. What’s not so surprising is that this site is one of the only, if not the only, site you’ll find that is complete Hentai/Yaoi free! >_< I came across some Qui-gon & Obi-wan sites that I’d like to forget…so just remember, when reading this comic…if you have a problem with the whole Jedi+Love Story thing…just be grateful the relationship doesn’t involve a combination of Obi-wan/Anakin/Yoda! lol

…unless that’s what you’re into O_o

Anyway, another surprise hit me when I was browsing OnlineComics.net and found that Obi-wan Kenobie SW doujin has ALREADY beaten my Secrets of Sorcerers in rankings!! SAY WHAT?! SoS has been listed for a lot longer; it didn’t take SW:Ob1 long to cling the rankings. I guess it is to be expected from a fan comic about Star Wars.

I know everyone really wants an update, but I’m working hard on my first Graphic Novel, and I’m getting a few thousand posters printed for promotion. Secrets of Sorcerers is higher in priority because it’s my source of income T_T . I can’t make any profit from this fan comic, and don’t want to; I’m doing it because I’m a huge fan, and had huge inspiration for the story. I have so much fun drawing it too.

I’m really excited for Parts 3 & 4…. Norii and Obi-wan are going to be getting a lot older…I’m looking forward to drawing during the Clone Wars in the later parts!

Thanks again for reading!

I finally got around to finishing Part 2!

I have no clue when I’ll be able to work on Part 3; Ztarr Manga Studio is fairly busy right now. I have some websites to build, manga artwork deadlines for clients, and of course, I have to keep updating Secrets of Sorcerers Online. I’m also busy making Mini-Manga preview booklets to take to the CN Anime Expo in Toronto for August 26-28. So far I only have about 100 made, and I’d like to atleast make 1000+ of them.

I’ll try to keep on top of things and get Part 3 started soon!

Thanks for all your support!

Wow, thanks for the comments, I was super super sad when all the past comments got erased…I’m STILL sad! But hearing such nice things from people really encourages me to keep drawing. It’s been hard to find time for this little fan comic; I’m really busy with studio work…Secrets of Sorcerers online is a big priority, as well as the graphic novel version I’m working on getting done for a fall release. I recently updated Ztarr.net with a totally new website design for Ztarr Manga Studio. The studio is also working on an outside project that I can’t talk about right now ’cause I signed papers saying I wouldn’t!

But I really do love drawing the Obiwan doujinshi….it’s really fun. I have the story all set out, though I don’t have the entire script writen yet. lol I can hardly wait for the Clone Wars! I have Part 2 drawn up to page 6 now, but I don’t really want to post them until I have the whole Part done…I believe Part 2 will only be 10 pages long, like Part 1. I’ll try and get page 7 8 9 and 10 done soon. I have a deadline for another project due on Tuesday so it might now be until after that. I also have two websites I’ve been contracted to design/build that I really need to get around to doing….T_T

There was a HORRIBLE error with the database of this site and ALL of the comic’s pages and comments were lost! I’M SO SAD! There was so many nice comments and now they’re gone! GONE! T_T

I’ve put the comic pages back up though.

*sob*